PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2008 Owners Manual

If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit.
SeeTire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 5-76.
There is no spare tire, no tire changing equipment,
and no place to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. SeeTires
on page 5-51. If air goes out of a tire, it is much more
likely to leak out slowly. But, if you should ever have a
blow out, here are a few tips about what to expect and
what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blow out, remove
your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way you want the vehicle
to go. It may be very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well off the road
if possible.If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place and stopping.
Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
2. Park your vehicle. If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake rmly and put the
shift lever in PARK (P). SeeShifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-26. If your
vehicle has a manual transmission, move the shift
lever to REVERSE (R) and set the parking brake
rmly. SeeParking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission) on page 2-28for additional
information.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel, has
damaged sidewalls, or has a puncture larger than a
14inch (6 mm), the tire is too severely damaged for
the tire sealant and compressor kit to be effective.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
If the tire has a puncture less than a
14inch (6 mm)
in the tread area of the tire, seeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 5-76.
5-75

Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
Your vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit
that is capable of temporarily sealing a puncture up
to 1/4 inch (6 mm) in the tread area of the tire. There
is no jack or spare tire. The kit inates the tire with liquid
sealant and air. The tire sealant and compressor kit can
also be used to inate an underinated tire. After the
tire is inated to the recommended ination pressure,
seeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58for more
information, the vehicle must be driven for ve miles to
distribute the sealant in the tire and seal the puncture.
After driving ve miles, the tire pressure must be
rechecked and adjusted as needed. See Using the Tire
Sealant and Compressor later in this section. Be sure to
read and follow all of the tire sealant and compressor kit
instructions. The kit includes:
A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant Canister
C. Air Compressor
Accessory Plug
D. On/Off SwitchE. Air Pressure Gage
F. Air Compressor
Inator Hose
G. Sealant Filling Hose
After temporarily sealing the tire with the sealant and
compressor kit, it is recommended to take your vehicle
to a dealer/retailer as soon as possible to have the tire
inspected and repaired. If the sealant is not removed from
the tire within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of driving, the
dealer/retailer may recommend that the tire be replaced.
5-76

Accessing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
To access the tire sealant and compressor kit:
1. Make sure the convertible top is in the up position
before accessing the tire sealant and compressor kit.
2. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-9for more
information.
3. Locate the tire sealant and compressor kit on the
driver side of the vehicle, near the back corner of
the trunk.4. Remove the tire sealant
and compressor kit
strap by squeezing the
two tabs of the quick
release buckle.
5. Remove the sealant and compressor kit from its
foam container.
Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handling instructions on the
sealant canister.
The sealant can temporarily seal a punctures up to
1/4 inch (6 mm) in the tread area of the tire. The sealant
cannot seal sidewall damage, large punctures, or a
tire that has unseated from the wheel. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-7if you need assistance.
The sealant can only be used to seal one tire.
After usage, the sealant canister and sealant lling
hose assembly must be replaced at a dealer/retailer.
See Removal and Installation of Sealant Canister later
in this section.
5-77

Check the tire sealant expiration date on the sealant
canister, if it has expired, see your dealer/retailer for a
replacement.
Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit to Temporarily Seal a Punctured Tire
Follow these directions closely for correct sealant usage.
1. Place the sealant and compressor kit on the
ground and unwrap the sealant lling hose
from the compressor.
2. Remove the air compressor accessory plug from
the unit. To do this, pull the top portion of the
wrapped cord out rst, then the bottom, and then
unsnap the plug. Do not insert the plug into an
accessory outlet yet.
3. Remove the valve stem or tire pressure
monitoring sensor cap from the at tire by
turning it counterclockwise.
If an object, such as a nail, has penetrated the tire,
do not remove it.4. Attach the sealant lling hose (A) onto the tire valve
stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
Make sure the sealant and compressor kit on/off
switch (B) is in the O (off) position.
5. Plug the air compressor accessory plug (C) into an
accessory power outlet in the vehicle. SeeAccessory
Power Outlet(s) on page 3-16for more information.
Do not slam the door or close the window on the
compressor accessory plug cord.
5-78

{CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with
the climate control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO). SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-29.
6. Start the vehicle. SeeStarting the Engine
(Key Access) on page 2-20for more information.
The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the inator instructions, and
inate the tire to its recommended pressure.
Do not exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).7. Move the On/Off switch to the I (on) position.
The pressure gage will initially show a high pressure
while the compressor pushes the sealant into the
tire. Once the sealant is completely dispersed
into the tire, the pressure will quickly drop and
start to rise again as the tire inates with air.
8. Inate the tire to the recommended ination
pressure, found on the Tire and Loading Information
label located on the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar)
below the vehicle’s door latch, using the air pressure
gage on the top of the unit.
The pressure gage reading is slightly high while the
compressor is on. Turn the compressor off to get
an accurate pressure reading.
Notice:If the recommended pressure cannot be
reached after 15 minutes, the vehicle should not
be driven. The tire is too severely damaged and
cannot be inated or sealed with the tire sealant
and compressor kit. Remove the air compressor
accessory plug from the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the sealant lling hose from the tire valve or
tire pressure monitoring sensor valve. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-7.
9. Push the sealant and compressor kit switch to
the O (off) position.
5-79

10. The tire is not sealed and will continue to leak
air until the vehicle is driven and the sealant is
distributed in the tire. Steps 11 through 19 must
be done immediately after Step 9.
11. Unplug the air compressor accessory plug from the
accessory power outlet in the vehicle.
12. Disconnect the sealant lling hose from the tire
valve stem, by turning it counterclockwise, and
replace the tire valve stem cap.
Be careful when handling the tire inator
components as they could be hot after usage.
13. Wrap the sealant lling hose around the air
compressor channel to stow it in its original location.
14. Stow the air compressor accessory plug back in the
air compressor. To do this, wrap the air compressor
accessory plug, snap in the plug, and then push
in the bottom and then the top of the wrapped
air compressor accessory plug.15. If the at tire was
able to inate to the
recommended ination
pressure, remove the
maximum speed label
from the sealant
canister.
Place it in a highly visible location such as the
inside of the upper left corner of the windshield
or to the face of the radio/clock.
The maximum speed label reminds you to drive
cautiously and not to exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) until
you have the damaged tire inspected and repaired.
5-80

{CAUTION:
Storing the tire sealant and compressor
kit or other equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could cause injury.
In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment
could strike someone. Store the tire sealant
and compressor kit in the proper place.
16. Return the equipment to the proper storage location
in the trunk of your vehicle. You may need to
loosen the retention strap to wrap it around the
sealant and compressor kit and foam container.
To do this, pull apart the strap and loosen the strap
at the quick release buckle. Then snap the buckle
together, pull the strap tight, and secure the
loose end of the strap by mating the ends.
17. Immediately drive the vehicle 5 miles (8 km) to
distribute the sealant evenly in the tire.18. Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure,
refer to Steps 1 through 8 under “Using the Air
Compressor without Sealant” next in this section.
If the tire pressure has not dropped more than
10 psi (68 kPa) from the recommended ination
pressure, you can inate the tire back up to
the recommended ination pressure.
19. If the tire pressure has fallen more then
10 psi (68 kPa), below the recommended ination
pressure, stop driving the vehicle. The tire is
too damaged for the sealant to work. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
20. Wipe off any sealant from the wheel, tire, and
vehicle with a rag.
21. Dispose of the sealant canister at a local
dealer/retailer or in accordance with local state
codes and practices.
After using the sealant canister, replace it with a
new canister from your dealer/retailer.
22. After temporarily sealing a tire with the tire sealant
and compressor kit, take your vehicle to your
dealer/retailer to have the tire inspected and
repaired.
5-81

Using the Air Compressor without
Sealant to Inate an Underinated Tire
(Not Punctured)
To use the air compressor by itself to inate a tire with
air only and not sealant:
1. Remove the air compressor inating hose connector
from the bottom of the air compressor.
2. Unlock the air compressor hose from the sealant
canister by pulling up on the lever.
3. Pull the air compressor inator hose from the
sealant canister.4. Push the air compressor inator hose onto the
tire valve stem and push the lever down to secure
in place.
5. Plug the air compressor accessory plug into
an accessory power outlet in the vehicle.
SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-16
for more information.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with
the climate control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO). SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-29.
6. Start the vehicle. SeeStarting the Engine
(Key Access) on page 2-20for more information.
The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
5-82

{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the inator instructions, and
inate the tire to its recommended pressure.
Do not exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).
7. Move the sealant and compressor kit switch to
the I (on) position.
8. Inate the tire up to the recommended ination
pressure using the air pressure gage on the top
of the unit. The pressure gage reads high while the
compressor is running. Turn the compressor off
to get an accurate reading. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-58for more information.
9. Turn off the air compressor by moving the switch to
the O (off) position.
{CAUTION:
Storing the tire sealant and compressor
kit or other equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could cause injury.
In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment
could strike someone. Store the tire sealant
and compressor kit in the proper place.
10. Disconnect the compressor inator hose and
wrap the hose in the bottom of the sealant and
compressor kit.
11. Place the equipment in the original location in the
trunk of your vehicle.
5-83

Removal and Installation of the Sealant
Canister
To remove the sealant canister:
1. Unlock the air compressor inator hose from the
sealant canister by pulling the lever up.
2. Disconnect the air compressor inator hose from
the sealant canister.
3. Unwrap the sealant lling hose from the
compressor.4. Turn the sealant canister so the inator lling hose
is aligned with the slot in the compressor.
5. Lift the sealant canister from the compressor and
replace with a new sealant canister. See your
dealer/retailer for more information.
5-84